for wastewater treatment

By BETH LAKEY

Staff Writer

April 3, 2000 9 PM

Expansion of Troy’s sewage treatment plant will be possible because of a $1.2 million federal grant.

U.S. Rep. Terry Everett, R-Enterprise, announced the approval of the grant for Troy.

"This major federal grant is designed for the upgrade and expansion of the Troy sewage treatment plant," Everett said.

"I congratulate Mayor Jimmy Lunsford and all those officials involved in securing this funding for needed city sewer service enhancements in Troy."

Lunsford is appreciative for the grant, which will allow the city to do two things ­ grow and resolve issues of water quality with the Alabama Department of Environmental Management and the Attorney General’s Office.

A lawsuit was filed because of findings of a parasite, which won’t hurt anyone, in the water. ADEM’s findings have forced the city to take action toward improving the water quality.

"We’re very proud to get the grant," Lunsford said. "We’re reaching our capacity at the plant."

At this time, the plant is permitted for five million gallons per day and the average usage is 4.5 million gallons per day.

The expansion will allow the city to treat seven million gallons of water each day, Lunsford said.

Funds were approved by the U.S. Dept. of Commerce, Economic Development Administration in Washington, D.C. Friday.